Starcom: The U.S. Space Force was
an 80’s motorized toy line by Coleco that ultimately culminated
in the release of a cartoon in 1987. The line was more popular
in Europe and Asia than the USA, but some of you here in the
states might have had them. The premise of the cartoon was
simple. A group of American astronauts, called Starcom, had to
protect earth (and the surrounding area) from the invading
Shadow Force led by the evil Emperor Dark.

The Starcom toys consisted of
action figures, space ships, and playsets. Each action figure
came with a backpack, weapon, and a little card that described
their function. Some of the Starcom characters were Colonel
Slim Griffin, Colonel Crowbar Corbin, and Colonel Dash
Derringer. The Dark Forces include Major Romak, General Von
Dar, Emperor Dark, and Major Klag. The action figures featured
a technology called “Magna Lock”, which were essentially little
magnets on their feet that allowed them to stick to surfaces and
activate functionality on the playsets (like elevators or
cannons). The ships were also unique in that they had wind up
mechanisms that allowed them to do various, complicated things
with a single button touch (for example, the StarWolf would
unfold its front and wings).